Ford Bronco 4x4 Long Travel Suspension - Long-Travel Bronco Building

We admire the classic Bronco, espe-cially its clean lines and ability to handle adventure in factory form. When it was introduced, the Pony's suspension was innovative-it was one of the first four-wheel-drive vehicles fitted with front coil springs, a track bar, and radius arms. Its short, 92-inch wheelbase and tight turning radius made it a great little trail runner. However, the Bronco needs considerable suspension modifications if it's going to be wheeled over extreme terrain.

The Bronco's factory radius arms have a tendency to bind at the rear mount, limiting suspension articulation. The short length of the factory shocks limits the upward and downward travel of the axle. There are numerous aftermarket suspension systems available for the old Bronco, but the key for most Bronco owners is to get a suspension that works in all conditions. West Coast Broncos (www.westcoastbronco.com) offers a 2.5- to 5.5-inch long-travel suspension system for the '66-'77 Bronco that's perfect for all off-road conditions. The kit can be ordered with different types of shocks, and WCB's radius arms come either 6 or 12 inches over factory length.

We spent the day with the guys at West Coast Broncos going over their suspension system, and then hit the trail to test its functionality. We were impressed with the suspension's on-road performance and handling-it was comfortable, responsive, and handled well. On the trail, the suspension offered tons of articulation, easily giving the Bronco the ability to climb over some hefty boulders.